Are 17" wheels too big? Might work 16's work a little better?

[rogerdalien]

Stock 17's are fine, I'm sure, but for those who want an additional aftermarket set (maybe dedicated summer tires,) are you considering 16 inch wheels as well?

What are some advantages of 16's? Well, look aren't one but performance might be.

1. 16's can weigh as little as 12 lbs.

2. There may be more tire choices in 16's and they might be cheaper too.

3. 16's might absorb the bumps better before sending the shock to the upper suspension.

4. Many 16' tire choices are lighter.

5. 16's are cheaper.

Do you think 16's will clear the rotors and calipers? Based on the photo, can you tell?

[ichitaka05]

iirc someone was saying rotor was same size as WRX, so yes, 16's will clear em.

I'm planning to put GC's 5 spoke gold wheels (16's) on my FRS/BRZ for all reason tires & regular 17's for summer tires

[Dave-ROR]

16s will clear as noted above.

IMO tire sizes aren't ideal for 16" because of the gear ratio increase. I like shortening gearing though, not making it taller so YMMV.

[Calum]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

16s will clear as noted above.

IMO tire sizes aren't ideal for 16" because of the gear ratio increase. I like shortening gearing though, not making it taller so YMMV.

huh? Dave, did you forget your meds today? I only ask because you're normally on top of things, this post isn't like you, from what I've read on here.

You wont change the gearing at all if you keep to the same outside diameter of the tire. 16's will just have a taller side wall.

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Calum

huh? Dave, did you forget your meds today? I only ask because you're normally on top of things, this post isn't like you, from what I've read on here.

You wont change the gearing at all if you keep to the same outside diameter of the tire. 16's will just have a taller side wall.

Not necessary true. If you run 205/55-16 well yeah, but if you run 225/50-16 or 245/45-16

[Godzpeed]

no, i'm putting 19"s on

[ichitaka05]

^19's? So tires are like 255/30-19? Oh~ that won't be fun ride

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Calum

huh? Dave, did you forget your meds today? I only ask because you're normally on top of things, this post isn't like you, from what I've read on here.

You wont change the gearing at all if you keep to the same outside diameter of the tire. 16's will just have a taller side wall.

I don't disagree with that. However, what tire size did you plan on using to keep the same outside diameter?

Here's what I made a long time ago:


245/45/16 is very close.. if you want to run R comps only.

Otherwise, I think the shorter gearing of the 235/40/17 plus the additional width will offset the wheel weight difference compared to 225/50/16s.

Only time and testing will tell for sure though.

[Calum]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

I don't disagree with that. However, what tire size did you plan on using to keep the same outside diameter?

Here's what I made a long time ago:


245/45/16 is very close.. if you want to run R comps only.

Otherwise, I think the shorter gearing of the 235/40/17 plus the additional width will offset the wheel weight difference compared to 225/50/16s.

Only time and testing will tell for sure though.

Touche. I knew something was missing.

[ft86Fan]

I think 225/50/16 looks promising. Its just a little bit taller. I'm concern that the 235/40/17 is a little too wide and may change the character of the car slightly.

[GodSays]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

^19's? So tires are like 255/30-19? Oh~ that won't be fun ride

I'm contemplating 19s but the rides exactly what I'm worries about which makes me wanna get 18s

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by GodSays

I'm contemplating 19s but the rides exactly what I'm worries about which makes me wanna get 18s

Just go 18's

[Draco-REX]

This car is small. 18s will look plenty big, with 19s looking like donks. Not to mention a 215/45 sidewall is on the smaller side of things to begin with. Take an inch out of that and the ride will suck. I wouldn't go bigger than 18s on this car. And performance-wise, more and more shops are thinking 17s might be the larger you want to go.

[Godzpeed]

most of the demo cars u see are all running 19"

if you really care about ride, just get a camry. this is a sports car

[Capt Canuck]

^Which will have a good deal of its sportiness ruined by 19" wheels.
But if you equate filled wheel arches with sportiness, then by all means have at it.

[Godzpeed]

running high profile tires on tiny rims is consider sporty nowadays?

even if i'm tracking this car, I'd consider at least 18"

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Capt Canuck

^Which will have a good deal of its sportiness ruined by 19" wheels.
But if you equate filled wheel arches with sportiness, then by all means have at it.

What he said. Big wheels do not mean "sporty".

[WhiteGDB]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Not necessary true. If you run 205/55-16 well yeah, but if you run 225/50-16 or 245/45-16

Both of which have a taller sidewall than 215/45/17

[GodSays]

Does anyone have a collection pics of the car with 16-19" wheels for comparison of the look of the tire to rim ratio
If not I will search and post

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by WhiteGDB

Both of which have a taller sidewall than 215/45/17

245/45-16 is? Last time I've check tire spec reading goes

width/sidewall/wheel size

but if you wanna go technical then yes, 245/45-16 run .04 inches bigger in radius then 215-45-17

[WhiteGDB]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

245/45-16 is? Last time I've check tire spec reading goes

width/sidewall/wheel size

but if you wanna go technical then yes, 245/45-16 run .04 inches bigger in radius then 215-45-17

Well Calum was talking about having to use a taller/thicker sidewall on 16s to have the same overall diameter of stock(215/45/17). His statement was absolutely true and no way around it.

I'm not getting technical about the overall diameter of 245/45/16 tires, because we're talking about sidewall height/thickness. Maybe you didn't realize, but you did quote Calum's "16's will just have a taller side wall".

245/45/16 has a 110.25mm side wall (245 X .45) where as:
215/45/17 has a 96.75mm side wall (215 X .45)

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

245/45-16 is? Last time I've check tire spec reading goes

width/sidewall/wheel size

but if you wanna go technical then yes, 245/45-16 run .04 inches bigger in radius then 215-45-17

.03" (radius, .06" diameter total) but who's counting? I do have a graph above with that info in it.

The biggest problem with 245/45/16 is tire selection. There are choices for R comps in that size but none of the top street tires are available in that size.